Moonee Ponds Creek North Hike - 12.7 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 215




Hike Report by Geoff

17 hikers arrived at the Ballarat station for our hike on Thursday morning and soon after were on the train headed for Southern Cross, changing to the Craigieburn line to continue onto Jacana, reached soon after 10.30.

We were met at the station by local, Oak Park residents, Sue and Allan, friends of Mark Hawley.  Sue and Allan walked with us and pointed out some of the sites along the way. 

Our 12.7 Km walk took us along the Moonee Ponds Creek, starting near the northern Ring Road, winding south through parts of Broadmeadows, Glenroy and Gowanbrae before heading through to Strathmore. The path was well made, mostly being a concrete, joint path for cyclists and pedestrians. We maintained an eye out for cyclists to ensure no accidents took place. 

Major sites of interest included the dam wall, part way down the creek which provided a significant flood retention basin, constructed to protect property downstream. Although the water level was low for our visit, Sue was able to show us photos taken in 2005 when the basin was filled to capacity, allowing the overflow to gush down the large glory hole (a high drainage point constructed in many reservoirs).

Not to be upstaged by Ken, Mark Bevelander was recognised by another local resident who we happened to meet along the way.  This local claimed to be Mark’s son. He also walked with us for part of the journey. 

Another major structure, which we walked under, was the Moonee Ponds Creek Trestle Bridge, constructed between 1927 and 1929. Its impressive structure stands 54.6 metres above the water and still holds the record as the highest railway bridge in Victoria. We saw that the bridge is still in use as a V Line service crossed the bridge just after we’d walked under it.

Allan was also able to point out the nest of a Tawney Frogmouth. Allan reported that two pairs of Frogmouths had been nesting in the area for at least the last three years.

We had our lunch in a park near the trestle bridge before continuing on, passing under the Tullamarine Freeway on several occasions before reaching Cross Keys.

We resisted the temptation to stop for refreshments at the Cross Keys Hotel before reaching the Strathmore Station where we caught a train back to Southern Cross and our service back to Ballarat. 

Thank you Mark for leading us today. 


Photos by Mark B































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